Man Drowns After Boat Capsizes on Lake Manitoba

A fishing trip on Lake Manitoba Friday turned deadly after a canoe capsized near the shore of Twin Lakes Beach in St. Laurent.

A 42-year-old man and his 71-year-old father of St. Laurent were fishing when their canoe took on water about 250 yards from shore.

Emergency crews responded at around 9 p.m. and found the 71-year-old unresponsive. The 42-year-old was able to make it to shore to get help. RCMP say the elderly man was taken to hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Life jackets were not in use when the boat capsized, according to police.

“The RCMP would like to stress how important it is to always wear a life jacket when boating,” police said in a release. “It can save your life. Additionally, with fall conditions now upon us, cold water can quickly cripple a persons ability to swim to safety.”